The Simple Secret To Better…Everything

Self-esteem, very simply, is your honest opinion of yourself. Doctors say that while the topic of self-esteem and self-confidence is often explored with children, many adults underestimate the importance of boosting their own feelings of self-worth.

Many factors can help shape self-confidence, which is developed in early childhood. These factors can include your family, school, work, your religion, how much money you have, etc.

Oh yes…a vital factor in developing a health dose of self-confidence is also…you.

What Does It Mean To Not Be Confident In Yourself?

According to Mayo Clinic, many people don’t give themselves enought credit. They focus more on what they’re not doing right than on their successes and achievements. They think others are better, more capable, stronger, better looking, and more valuable.

The problem with this type of attitude is that not only can you not be your best when you’re constantly putting yourself down, but fear of failure can actually block your success, thus creating a vicious cycle: fear of failure actually leading to failure, and then leading to an even greater fear of failure.

People with low self-esteem also can be more susceptible to stress, weight gain, a weakened immune system…and many other illnesses that can stem from these things.

What Does It Mean To Be Too Confident?

There is definitely such a thing as thinking a litttle too much of yourself. While a health sense of confidence is extremely important, feeling superior to others, and treating other arrogantly, can lead to damaged relationships and risky health behaviors.

What Is The Right Amount Of Self-Confidence?

A person with a healthy amount of self-confidence is someone who can be proud of their accomplishments, while understanding their imperfections. A self-confident person can take positive and constructive criticism and use them both to their advantage. A self-confident person doesn’t let fear of failure prevent them from attempting to succeed. A self-confident person understands their self-worth, and knows that they deserve respect and consideration. They also know how to respect themselves, and truly believe in their own inherent value.

In addition, when you’re confident, you can more easily attract people to you.

Why Is Self-Confidence So Good For You?

Obviously, feeling good about yourself feels…good! People with self-esteem enjoy their lives more, and tend to:

Feel healthier, as well as engage in healthier habits

Have more rewarding relationships

Be more resilient against stress and negative situations

Be less likely to develop addictions

Be more mentally healthy

Be perceived as more attractive/sexier

How Can You Become More Self-Confident?

While esteem is formed in childhood, there are ways to strengthen those confidence muscles:

Recall a time that you felt great about yourself. It can be from any moment in time, and it can involve work, school, a hobby, whatever.

Write about that moment. Record the details about your experience, and recall how you felt. Psychologists say that exercises like this can help boost your brain’s confidence neural network.

Recall and record six additional moments of confidence. What you’re basically doing is the equivalent of buying the right workout tools to help take your fitness to a new level.

Re-read your experiences. You have the tools, now it’s time to work out. According to experts, every time you stimulate your confidence neural network with a confidence memory, it gets stronger.

Create new reasons to feel confident. In addition to performing the above exercises, it’s also important to continue developing yourself and challenging yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything huge: tackle a new work project, try a new potential new hobby, or try to do something assertive. The key is to make yourself feel great about who you are.